Warning to caravan families attempting Australia's 'most challenging' 4WD track: 'You're gone'
Anyone attempting to tackle Australia's most remote and notorious stretch of road should wait until next year, experts tell Yahoo News.
Aussie caravanners and 4WD enthusiasts planning to attempt Australia's most treacherous stretch of road have been warned to "delay" their trip until at least May 2025 as oppressive weather conditions arrive early.
The Gibb River Road, a 647km stretch of road between Derby and Kununnura in Western Australia, is known as the "roughest most challenging" 4WD track in Australia thanks to heavy stretches of unsealed roads that offer deep corrugations, loose gravel, potholes and flash flooding.
While it's an adventurer's dream, scores of travellers have reported serious damage to their rigs, and without the right preparation, situations can quickly become life or death.
Local tourism expert Anthony, who runs The Gibb River Road tourism page, told Yahoo News Australia oppressive heat has "come early this year", with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a severe heatwave warning for the region where temperatures can get to over 45 degrees.
"Even if you are fully prepared, defer it till May 2025," he said.
Life or death conditions on 4WD road
While Anthony says that most who attempt the track are well prepared for the driving conditions, the heat is a different story. "A lot of people [doing the track] are prepared, but they’re not prepared for the heat, and that is something they need to be very careful about," he said.
"Tourists think they are fully prepared, and they are in the cooler months but as soon as that heat comes on they’re not prepared," he said.
"Some of these isolated areas, this time of year you won’t find too many people. If you break down and you don’t have a satellite phone and you don’t have enough water, you’re gone. There’s no such thing as help as such, especially at this time of year."
It's recommended to only attempt the track between mid-May to October, but Anthony says he's known of tourists attempting it as late as December when the wet season has kicked in.
Anthony advises anyone doing the track must have a satellite phone, Starlink, as much water as you can carry. He suggests keeping speeds low to keep tyres healthy too.
WA Main Roads says track is open but amenities are 'closed'
WA Main Roads told Yahoo that while the track remains open, very few amenities along the long stretch of road are still open at this time of year and conditions are ever changing.
"Driving on Gibb River Road can be unpredictable as road conditions are constantly changing, presenting unique challenges for even the most experienced travellers," A West Australian Main Roads spokesperson told Yahoo News.
"While Gibb River Road is currently open, most accommodation providers, attractions, stations and roadhouses are closed. Road users planning to travel the Gibb should prepare, plan and pack for their journey accordingly as the risk of isolation and lack of assistance in the event of an incident or emergency is high."
Main Roads recommends only travelling in a larger 4WD in high range with a high clearance like a Prado, Pajero or Hilux. They don't recommend caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers on the unsealed roads, but some caravans can be specially designed for off-roading.
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Caravan family's 'red hot crack' at 4WD track
Steph Churchill, who is travelling the country with her family, echoed the advice of Anthony and Main Roads, but encouraged Aussies to give it a go when the conditions are right.
"I don’t think you can say you’ve travelled Australia unless you’ve experienced the Gibb," she said.
Steph and her partner Aaron left their home on Queensland's Gold Coast four years ago to caravan around the country with their two kids and have no plans to return to regular life.
The family are experienced in 4WDing thanks to Aaron's background in the defence force and tackled the road earlier this year. "We had heard that it was one of the roughest, most challenging tracks in Australia," Steph said, adding it was because of that, they were inspired to give it "a red-hot crack".
When it comes to 4WD adventures, Steph said "It's in a class of its own – there is no comparison."
Tips for tackling Gibb River Road
The family said they were "lucky" to only inflict "minimal" damage to their set-up - a Wonderland RV Caravan & Toyota Landcruiser. She adds that "preparation is key".
"The Gibb River Road is a seasonal track! With the off-season experiencing extreme heat, flash flooding which is a part of their wet season", she said.
"The roads are harsh, so be prepared for the worst," she said, adding the family taped their doors, cupboards and tent vents. A low point on the track was the lack of water supplies.
"Make sure you have the right recovery gear such as spare tyres, snap straps, tools, some sort of communication," she said. The family added that they use Starlink, a favourite communication device among caravanning families.
"Have some basic knowledge of tools and know how to at least change a tyre. Another thing we do regularly is torque the wheel nuts and suspension components to be on the safe side," she said.
"Once you have all your preparation sorted just get out there and enjoy yourself."
To follow Steph and Aaron's adventures, click here.
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